FAITHFUL

February 1, 2026 – Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020126.cfm)

Every first of November we commemorate & honor All Saints of our Christian lives, regardless of their status within the church – whether they are canonized, blessed, recognized or not. But we now beg the question: “What makes a saint a saint?”

St. Teresa of Calcutta a.k.a Mother Teresa, a modern-day saint known for her charitable works, once said: “God does not demand that I be successful. God demands  rather that I be faithful in life. When facing God, results are not important. Faithfulness then is what is important.”

Same could also be said of us Christians & our saints. God did not choose us to be successful but rather to be faithful in life. Our Christian calling then is for us to be faithful in this life, rather than to be successful. Regardless how successful or failure our life has been, what is important is our fidelity rather than our accomplishments. Our faith  rather than success is thus expected of us, as faithful Christians. And so, because of their faithfulness with Christ, our saints are blessed, and faithfuls are sainted because they are blessed by God

This is greatly expressed by Jesus in our gospel today. In the Beatitudes, Jesus lauded those who have been faithful to God rather successful in life. Saintly, righteous, holy and worthy are then those who are blessed by God to be faithful of Him in life.

As implied in our readings today, our saints are the survivors of the great distress & persecutions, the seekers who longs to see God’s face, God’s children who knows God personally & above all, the faithful people who are chosen & blessed by God, – not wise, noble, powerful & strong in the worldly standard they may be.

Remember that in response to the crisis-situations the disciples were in, (whether on a stormy sea or failed-healing attempts), Jesus rather challenged them instead: “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?” – “Let not your heart’s be trouble. Have faith in God. Have faith in Me”. Thus, in whatever situations we are in – whether in normal or crisis situations, Jesus only requires of us our faith in God and in Him.

However, God’s grace is wasted without us trusting & abiding with it – without our faith. Better things may also happen in life, though… as long as with God’s grace & our  faith. Again, Christian life is all about our deep faith and trust in Him rather than our triumphs in life.

We are called & chosen to faithfulness rather than be successful in the worldly standard of  life, for as Jesus said “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”

Here in this mass, we honor & thank the Lord of the witness of saintly simple Christian faithfuls who have also greatly influenced our Christian faith here, now & always. As with Mary, our Mother of Perpetual Help, may their faithfulness to God & in Christ Jesus remain a living example for us to live by now & always.

So May It be. Amen.